What Is Rocksteady Studios' Next Project?

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Rocksteady Games, the studio behind the legendary Batman: Arkham games. However, last week, the company resurfaced on the radar when it hinted that it was working on a new project, one that would put fans into such a frenzy, they would “lose their minds.”

And the speculation began. A new Batman game? A possible new superhero game? Maybe something that we don’t see coming? There’s a lot of speculation that’s going around here – and we did a little digging to see what the team could possibly be up to, and why it may – or may not – happen. Let’s take a look at what Rocksteady could possibly be up to.

Slide 1/6 – A New Batman Game? Not Likely

This is probably something that fans consider to be the most possible, because, let’s be honest, that’s what Rocksteady Games is all about, since it crafted Batman: Arkham Asylum, City and Knight to mere perfection. So a new game from the company featuring the Dark Knight would certainly be welcomed by the community.

That said, there is some questionability. Kevin Conroy, the voice behind the Bat in some of the past few games, noted that there wasn’t a new game in development at Rocksteady. That said, we could still get something from WB Montreal, since Conroy usually didn’t provide the voice for his character in Batman: Arkham Origins.

So the possibility is we could see a new Batman game down the road. Just not from Rocksteady.

Slide 2/6 – A Superman Game? Probably Not Happening

This is obviously the next logical choice for Rocksteady, considering how close it is with both Warner Bros. and DC Comics. The idea of a new Man of Steel game, possibly to tie in with the upcoming Man of Steel 2, would make sense popularity-wise, and if anyone can configure Supes’ talents into a fun game, it’s Rocksteady.

But here’s the problem – the bad Superman games that have come out in the past have already tarnished his video game legacy beyond belief. Ask anyone just how terrible Superman 64 was, and EA didn’t quite do the hero any favors with the terrible Superman Returns game.

So a Superman game isn’t that likely either. That said, never say never. We thought Batman was gone for good and then came Arkham Asylum.

Slide 3/6 – A Suicide Squad Game? Hmmmm...

While we’re talking about games that are in the realm of possibility for forthcoming DC movie projects, we have to bring up Suicide Squad. The sequel has been in discussion for some time, and there’s been word that a game is also in the works, with brawler tactics, co-op based gameplay between characters, and a possible Borderlands-esque open-world set-up.

It sounds ambitious, but that doesn’t quite confirm that Rocksteady is behind the project. They’re certainly qualified, but there’s also a chance that they’re working on something new and not a DC property. And Warner Bros. has plenty of teams to turn to with the project as well, especially since Monolith has just wrapped up work on Middle-Earth: Shadow of War.

A Suicide Squad game is very possible, but not necessarily guaranteed for Rocksteady. We’ll see.

Slide 4/6 – A Wonder Woman/Justice League Game? Likely...

The idea of a Justice League game might seem questionable at this point, because that means Warner Bros. would be shooting for the game to release around the same time as the film, or with the home video release sometime next year. It’s a neat idea, but if WB was working with Rocksteady on such a game, it’d be announced by now.

That said, Wonder Woman could be very likely. Production for the second Wonder Woman film looks to be set, with Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins returning, and it sounds like Rocksteady could have time to make an open-world game featuring the warrior to go alongside the film, whenever it released. But, again, that probably would’ve gotten a big announcement already.

We’ll see what happens, but a Wonder Woman game would hit the spot. Especially if they bring in Gadot.

Slide 5/6 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Nope.

For the longest time, there were rumors circling around that Activision would be partnering with Rocksteady Studios on a game that featured the Ninja Turtles, one that would use their abilities in a superb manner, while at the same time giving them their best looking game to date. We were drooling at the thought.

But here’s the thing. With Out of the Shadows not doing so hot in theaters, and the last game, the Platinum Games-produced Mutants In Manhattan, not doing that many favors either, the license is probably on a break for a while. Sure, we may see the Turtles resurface in a few years, but Rocksteady is likely to reveal their next project well before then. So, yeah, no cowabunga for this team.

Slide 6/6 – A New Property? Hey Now!

While we’re talking about Rocksteady, we do have to throw out the idea that the team may not be working on a comic book-based game at all, but rather something new and original. We’ve seen it before – MercurySteam worked on both the Castlevania and Metroid franchises while introducing its free-to-play Raiders of the Broken Planet project – so there’s a very good chance that Rocksteady is doing its own thing, and will provide a new twist on its usual programming.

And we’re all for that. While any of the aforementioned comic book projects would be great Rocksteady games, it’s always exciting to see them tread new ground and introduce a fresh new product. Whatever it is, we’re ready to see what it is – and it’ll probably have that same feeling of Batman: Arkham Asylum again in terms of excitement. Bring it on!